Keeping Colors True: White Balance - Nikon COOLPIX 4500 Manual

Keeping Colors True: White Balance

What Is "White Balance"?
The color of the light reflected by an object depends on the color of the light
source. The human brain is able to detect and compensate for such changes
in color, with the result that a white object will look white to humans whether
viewed in sunlight, under overcast skies, or indoors under incandescent or
fluorescent lighting. To a camera, however, the "whites" produced by these
different sources of light vary in color, some being slightly blue and others
yellow or red. A digital camera can adjust colors according to lighting so that
colors that appear white to the human eye also appear white when viewed in
the final photograph. This adjustment is called "white balance."
Choosing a White Balance Setting
In P, S, A, and M modes, white balance can be
adjusted using the white-balance option in the
SHOOTING menu (in
balance is adjusted automatically).
Option
Auto
White Bal Preset
Daylight
Incandescent
Fluorescent
Cloudy
Speedlight
92
and scene modes, white
White balance automatically adjusted to suit light-
ing conditions. Best choice in most circumstances.
White object used as reference to set white bal-
ance under unusual lighting conditions.
White balance adjusted for direct sunlight.
For use with incandescent lighting.
For use with most types of fluorescent lighting.
Use for pictures taken under cloudy skies.
White balance adjusted to match light produced
by Nikon Speedlights.
Description